Countering The Mass Shooter Threat

Countering The Mass Shooter Threat

Unfortunately, mass attacks in public spaces in the United States are not uncommon.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there were more than 611 mass shootings in the country in 2022. Researchers also found 6,023 children aged 17 or less were killed or wounded in gunfire in 2022, an increase from 5,708 in 2021. In addition, the country has seen 30 mass shootings this year. Individuals typically use a firearm to cause mass casualties, but a vehicle, homemade bombs, and other methods may be used.

In the event of a mass shooting, it is crucial to be prepared to protect yourself and help others. Here are tips for staying safe in public places – before, during, and after an attack.

Prepare Before

·       Be alert. Always be aware of your surroundings and any potential dangers.

·       If you see something, say something®. Report suspicious behavior to the authorities if observed, including suspicious packages, abnormal behavior, or strange communication methods.

·       Be aware of warning signs. These signs could consist of unruly or violent communication, substance abuse, anger expressed, or intent to cause injury. These warning signs can increase over time.

·       Make an exit plan. Locate exits and places to hide in places you visit frequently.

·       Learn lifesaving skills. Take training, such as first aid or CPR, to assist the wounded before help arrives.

 

Survive During: Run, Hide, Fight

Run to Safety

·       Seek Safety. Escaping from attackers is your first priority. Leave your possessions behind, and if possible, get away from the attack.

·       Call 9-1-1. Once you are in a safe location, call 9-1-1 if you feel safe and provide details about the attacker, their location, and weapons.

Cover and Hide

·       Cover and hide if you are unable to evacuate. Find a place to hide from the attacker's view. Create a solid barrier between you and the threat. Also, lock and block doors, and turn off the lights.

·       Keep silent.

Defend, Disrupt, Fight

·       Fighting is your last resort. If you cannot run or hide, attempt to stop the attack or disable the attackers. Be bold and committed to your actions.

·       Enlist help. Recruit others to bombard the attacker using makeshift weapons like chairs, fire extinguishers, or scissors. Be prepared to inflict injury if necessary.

Help the Injured

·       First, take care of your own health. Then, assist the injured to safety and provide immediate care. Finally, when it is safe, call 9-1-1.

 

Be Safe After

When Law Enforcement Comes

·       Remain calm.

·       Follow the instructions of law enforcement. Evacuate in the direction they tell you and report to designated areas to receive information and get help.

·       Update loved ones. Share updates as you can with family and friends.

Consider Professional Help

·       Take care of your mental health. Seek support for yourself and your family to cope with the trauma.

 

Choose Northern Illinois Carry LLC

Northern Illinois Carry LLC offers "Countering The Mass Shooter Threat" classes for every house of worship, school, business, and household. In addition, we also offer the USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense Course, a 16-hour course that meets the Illinois State Police requirements for the Illinois Concealed Carry Permit. Upon completing the course, students will receive a certificate required when renewing their Illinois Concealed Carry Permit. 

Visit Northern Illinois Carry LLC online for more information and class schedules, or call us at 815-501-9421 with any questions.

Sources

https://www.fema.gov/blog/during-and-after-staying-safe-public-spaces 

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/firearms-training/curriculum/countering-the-mass-shooter-threat/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kishwaukee Valley Friends of NRA Fundraiser Returns to DeKalb in March 2022!

Kishwaukee Valley Friends of NRA Fundraiser Returns to DeKalb in March 2022!

Kishwaukee Valley Friends of NRA Fundraiser Returns to DeKalb in March 2022!

With spring just a couple of months away, that can only mean one thing: the NRA Foundation's hugely successful Kishwaukee Valley Friends of NRA fundraising event is once again coming to DeKalb. Gun owners and collectors, and those eager to learn more about gun ownership, will have a wonderful time in this fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Just like last year, this annual event will deliver a memorable evening filled with silent auctions, game tables, and delicious food. Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 19, 2022 - the event begins at 5:30 p.m.

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15 Of The Best Gun Blogs For Women Who Like To Shoot

Women shooters are the single fastest growing segment1 in the firearms industry. In fact, according to Shoot Like A Girl, a company whose goal is to increase the number of female participants in the shooting sports, participation by women in the industry has increased by as much as 189% in some disciplines.

With so much growth of women shooters of all types, it can be difficult to navigate the internet in search of the specific information that’s wanted.

Whether you’re an all-around outdoorsy type girl, a concealed carry fashionista, a blossoming competitive shooter or just enjoy learning about guns from other women, there’s something tailored to everyone. We’ve scoured the internet and found the top 15 women shooter blogs to help women of all walks of life find the site that fits their personality best.

The list below is in alphabetical order.

A Girl & A Gun

This ladies-only shooting league has set their sights on taking beginning shooters to any skill level they wish to achieve. They share a wealth of knowledge on personal empowerment with a special emphasis on encouraging more women to participate in competitive shooting. Julianna Crowder, founder of AG & AG, is a certified NRA instructor and concealed handgun instructor for the state of Texas.

New posts are published weekly.

Adventuress

Hunt. Fish. Explore. Live. If you’re an outdoor woman looking to improve your skills in hunting, fishing, gathering or gardening - or if you’ve got skills in these areas you’d like to showcase - check out Adventuress. Founder Jennifer Pudenz started this publication in 2014 to give women a place to share and learn about the outdoors. Articles are broken down into a simple, easy to follow format so you can find what you’re looking for quickly and easily.

New posts are published in bulk each season.

American Woman Shooter

Like many of the other blogs we’ve listed on here, Lucretia Free, founder of AWS, started the site shortly after being introduced to shooting. What makes this blog different is that she organizes articles from other sites that specialize in all areas of shooting. In their focus to attract more women to the joys of shooting, they also include several articles related to beauty, health and fashion.

New posts are shared several times a day.

Front Sight Press

FSP is unlike any other blog mentioned in our list. As a teacher in the legal studies program at the University of Memphis, lawyer, and firearms instructor, her focus is second amendment advocacy. With no political aspirations, her articles aim to break down some of the old stereotypes that she thinks are hurting the cause.

New posts are published once or twice monthly.

Gun Goddess

Are you a woman who likes colorful, shiny things but also likes to shoot? Then check out the original Gun Goddess - Athena Means. Shortly after she started training to be a competitive shooter, she grew tired of trying to find functional but feminine gear, both at the range and for concealed carry. In addition to finding everything that will ensure you look like a “girly girl” but packing some serious heat, you’ll find a wealth of information about getting started shooting, carrying during pregnancy, traveling with your guns, gun safety around kids, and much more.

New posts are published up to three times a month.

Gun Tote’n Mamas

Keep up on the latest news and trends involving women and firearms with Gun Tote’n Mamas. They specialize in making high quality, fashionable concealed carry bags for women that have been tested by the FBI and Navy Seals, but also advocate the empowerment of women shooters through their articles.

New posts are published up to three times a month.

Huntress View

Since 2013, Andrea Crider has been helping women, regardless of experience, gain insight into hunting from a woman’s point of view. Since then, her team of contributors has grown to nearly 40 women who test products, offer tips on getting in hunting shape, preparing for hunts, and even wild game recipes.

New posts are published weekly.

ReelCamo Girl

Lauren Hill created this site for all ladies to love the outdoors  and supporting wildlife conservation and sustainability. While the site isn’t exclusively about guns, there’s plenty of information to be found in the form of product reviews, shooter spotlights, and how-to guides. For those avid huntresses out there, they also share plenty of unique recipes you can try using the game you worked so hard for.

New posts are published 2-3 times monthly.

Style Me Tactical

Emily Valentine launched SMT in 2015 as a lifestyle blog for women who want to carry and stay as fashionable as possible. Her articles started from when she first considered carrying a gun and chronicle the lessons she’s learned on her way to the upcoming season of “Love At First Shot”  on NRA TV. Topics range from shooting drills as a newbie, product testing and how to sport Gucci and heels while carrying concealed. She also offers tips on beauty and wellness to help women look and feel their best without the emphasis on guns.

New posts are published several times a week.

The Cornered Cat

“When a cat feels threatened...she does only as much as she needs to do in order to escape.” This snippet from TCC demonstrates the founder’s goal with this site...to educate people to take personal responsibility for their own safety. Kathy Johnson, firearms instructor and homeschool mom, teaches instructors and newbies alike. Get an in-depth understanding of legal concerns about self-defense, situational awareness, the use of lethal force and much more.

New posts are published up to several times a month.

The Well Armed Woman

Claiming to be the resource for the woman gun owner, this blog doesn’t disappoint. Whether you’re just getting started in the joys of gun ownership or a seasoned veteran, you’ll find a wealth of information from how you select your first gun through training at various stages of experience and scenarios. They even include a complete gun glossary from A-Z broken down into four digestible sections. Founder Carrie Lightfoot is a member of the NRA Board of Directors and is a certified instructor through the NRA and USCCA.

New posts are published once a month.

Trigger Happy Firearm Instruction

As a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault, there are few better resources for empowering women than Marchelle “Tig” Washington, founder of THFI. With the goal of teaching personal safety more than anything else, a lot of the articles found here are just as applicable to men as they are women. Topics include tips for saving money as a new shooter, situational awareness on and off the range and unique insights as a firearms instructor.

New posts are published as often as three times a day

US Concealed Carry (Women & Guns)

While the site itself isn’t dedicated exclusively to women, columnist Beth Alcazar has been writing this section tailored to women since early 2014. As a mom who carries, she shares insights from her own daily experiences involving kids, guns, and everything women need to know when it comes to protecting themselves and their families.

New posts are published every week on Tuesday.

Women and Guns

Unsponsored product reviews and an emphasis on self-defense and personal protection. That’s what you get with W&G. The authors focus on sharing real life encounters and profiles on role-model women gun owners.

New posts are published in conjunction with the release of their print publication every two months.

Women’s Outdoor News

This well-organized site is the go-to place for women of all walks of life who love the outdoors. From camping, hunting and fishing all the way to hardcore competitive shooters, this site has it all. A strong core of contributors comprised of national competitive shooting champions, survival experts and experienced huntresses ensure there’s no topic left unexplored.

New posts are published several times a day.


 15 Of The Best Gun Blogs For Women Who Like To Shoot

Women shooters are the single fastest growing segment1 in the firearms industry. In fact, according to Shoot Like A Girl, a company whose goal is to increase the number of female participants in the shooting sports, participation by women in the industry has increased by as much as 189% in some disciplines.

With so much growth of women shooters of all types, it can be difficult to navigate the internet in search of the specific information that’s wanted.

Whether you’re an all-around outdoorsy type girl, a concealed carry fashionista, a blossoming competitive shooter or just enjoy learning about guns from other women, there’s something tailored to everyone. We’ve scoured the internet and found the top 15 women shooter blogs to help women of all walks of life find the site that fits their personality best.

The list below is in alphabetical order.

A Girl & A Gun

This ladies-only shooting league has set their sights on taking beginning shooters to any skill level they wish to achieve. They share a wealth of knowledge on personal empowerment with a special emphasis on encouraging more women to participate in competitive shooting. Julianna Crowder, founder of AG & AG, is a certified NRA instructor and concealed handgun instructor for the state of Texas.

New posts are published weekly.

Adventuress

Hunt. Fish. Explore. Live. If you’re an outdoor woman looking to improve your skills in hunting, fishing, gathering or gardening - or if you’ve got skills in these areas you’d like to showcase - check out Adventuress. Founder Jennifer Pudenz started this publication in 2014 to give women a place to share and learn about the outdoors. Articles are broken down into a simple, easy to follow format so you can find what you’re looking for quickly and easily.

New posts are published in bulk each season.

American Woman Shooter

Like many of the other blogs we’ve listed on here, Lucretia Free, founder of AWS, started the site shortly after being introduced to shooting. What makes this blog different is that she organizes articles from other sites that specialize in all areas of shooting. In their focus to attract more women to the joys of shooting, they also include several articles related to beauty, health and fashion.

New posts are shared several times a day.

Front Sight Press

FSP is unlike any other blog mentioned in our list. As a teacher in the legal studies program at the University of Memphis, lawyer, and firearms instructor, her focus is second amendment advocacy. With no political aspirations, her articles aim to break down some of the old stereotypes that she thinks are hurting the cause.

New posts are published once or twice monthly.

Gun Goddess

Are you a woman who likes colorful, shiny things but also likes to shoot? Then check out the original Gun Goddess - Athena Means. Shortly after she started training to be a competitive shooter, she grew tired of trying to find functional but feminine gear, both at the range and for concealed carry. In addition to finding everything that will ensure you look like a “girly girl” but packing some serious heat, you’ll find a wealth of information about getting started shooting, carrying during pregnancy, traveling with your guns, gun safety around kids, and much more.

New posts are published up to three times a month.

Gun Tote’n Mamas

Keep up on the latest news and trends involving women and firearms with Gun Tote’n Mamas. They specialize in making high quality, fashionable concealed carry bags for women that have been tested by the FBI and Navy Seals, but also advocate the empowerment of women shooters through their articles.

New posts are published up to three times a month.

Huntress View

Since 2013, Andrea Crider has been helping women, regardless of experience, gain insight into hunting from a woman’s point of view. Since then, her team of contributors has grown to nearly 40 women who test products, offer tips on getting in hunting shape, preparing for hunts, and even wild game recipes.

New posts are published weekly.

ReelCamo Girl

Lauren Hill created this site for all ladies to love the outdoors  and supporting wildlife conservation and sustainability. While the site isn’t exclusively about guns, there’s plenty of information to be found in the form of product reviews, shooter spotlights, and how-to guides. For those avid huntresses out there, they also share plenty of unique recipes you can try using the game you worked so hard for.

New posts are published 2-3 times monthly.

Style Me Tactical

Emily Valentine launched SMT in 2015 as a lifestyle blog for women who want to carry and stay as fashionable as possible. Her articles started from when she first considered carrying a gun and chronicle the lessons she’s learned on her way to the upcoming season of “Love At First Shot”  on NRA TV. Topics range from shooting drills as a newbie, product testing and how to sport Gucci and heels while carrying concealed. She also offers tips on beauty and wellness to help women look and feel their best without the emphasis on guns.

New posts are published several times a week.

The Cornered Cat

“When a cat feels threatened...she does only as much as she needs to do in order to escape.” This snippet from TCC demonstrates the founder’s goal with this site...to educate people to take personal responsibility for their own safety. Kathy Johnson, firearms instructor and homeschool mom, teaches instructors and newbies alike. Get an in-depth understanding of legal concerns about self-defense, situational awareness, the use of lethal force and much more.

New posts are published up to several times a month.

The Well Armed Woman

Claiming to be the resource for the woman gun owner, this blog doesn’t disappoint. Whether you’re just getting started in the joys of gun ownership or a seasoned veteran, you’ll find a wealth of information from how you select your first gun through training at various stages of experience and scenarios. They even include a complete gun glossary from A-Z broken down into four digestible sections. Founder Carrie Lightfoot is a member of the NRA Board of Directors and is a certified instructor through the NRA and USCCA.

New posts are published once a month.

Trigger Happy Firearm Instruction

As a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault, there are few better resources for empowering women than Marchelle “Tig” Washington, founder of THFI. With the goal of teaching personal safety more than anything else, a lot of the articles found here are just as applicable to men as they are women. Topics include tips for saving money as a new shooter, situational awareness on and off the range and unique insights as a firearms instructor.

New posts are published as often as three times a day

US Concealed Carry (Women & Guns)

While the site itself isn’t dedicated exclusively to women, columnist Beth Alcazar has been writing this section tailored to women since early 2014. As a mom who carries, she shares insights from her own daily experiences involving kids, guns, and everything women need to know when it comes to protecting themselves and their families.

New posts are published every week on Tuesday.

Women and Guns

Unsponsored product reviews and an emphasis on self-defense and personal protection. That’s what you get with W&G. The authors focus on sharing real life encounters and profiles on role-model women gun owners.

New posts are published in conjunction with the release of their print publication every two months.

Women’s Outdoor News

This well-organized site is the go-to place for women of all walks of life who love the outdoors. From camping, hunting and fishing all the way to hardcore competitive shooters, this site has it all. A strong core of contributors comprised of national competitive shooting champions, survival experts and experienced huntresses ensure there’s no topic left unexplored.

New posts are published several times a day.


 

How Old Should Children Be Before You Teach Them To Use Weapons?​​​​​​​

We recommend starting off with a martial arts program geared for youth and then transition into a program that incorporates self-defense weapons.

We recommend starting off with a martial arts program geared for youth and then transition into a program that incorporates self-defense weapons.

If they’re old enough to pick up the weapon, they’re old enough to be taught how to handle it safely. Weapons training doesn’t need to begin from an early age, but proper identification and handling should be a requirement.

Teaching a child how to deploy pepper spray is going to be completely different than handling a knife. In either case, the goal should not be to push them into difficult, highly coordinated hand-to-hand movements immediately.

The basics are always this:

  • Identify properly. (“This is a knife.”)
  • Handle safely.
  • Store in a secure place.

Nobody should be leaving weapons lying around the house or vehicle. Every single weapon is a tool. Handling them safely and knowing when to secure weapons is pivotal.

Youth Martial Arts Programs

If the child shows any keen interest in weapons, this may be the opportunity to introduce him or her to martial arts. Almost any martial arts program will instill a sense of discipline and responsibility — necessary for safety.

There are a lot of youth martial arts programs available. In nearly all cases, instructors push self-sufficiency, coordination, physical strength, and agility. A sharp mind is far more useful for self-defense than a sharp knife because the brain knows when and where to deploy any weapon within reach of the body. A knife is just a tool. Held in inept hands, it’s as much a danger to the wielder as a potential opponent.

The following are some example martial arts programs that focus on youth and personal development:

  • Jiu-jitsu
  • Kempo karate
  • Aikido
  • Taekwondo

The added bonus in this is a child’s growing sense of confidence. He knows what he ought to be doing, and he is confident in his abilities to do so.

Weapons are accessories to the real weapon — one’s self.

Additional benefits include:

  • Increased agility
  • Mental focus and clarity
  • Confidence
  • Flexibility
  • Respect for self and others

These are all things a child will reap great rewards from. It takes diligence, time, and dedication to practice outside of the dojo. The result will be displayed in how they handle themselves day-in and day-out.

What Age Is Perfect For Weapons Training?

As we mentioned in the previous section, mental acuity will determine roughly everything else. If a child is particularly keen, alert, and focused, he or she will probably be fine to learn how to use weapons in a safe, controlled environment. It would be better to develop the body and mind to the point where a weapon is merely an extension rather than a requirement but you, as the parent, are the first person to make that call.

You know your child better than anyone else.

We recommend starting off with a regimented martial arts program geared for youth and development and then transition into a program that incorporates self-defense weapons.

Teach a child to correctly identify a weapon and get an adult to handle it. This ensures that before he or she reaches the age where weapons training is part of a program, he can be trusted to treat those weapons safely. Always encourage him to get a trusted adult like yourself, your spouse, a teacher or similar.

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The Police and Concealed Carry

What do the police think of concealed carry? I get the question from time to time. In my limited experience, officers I have come in contact with have no problem with it at all. I've heard many tales of officers saying "Thanks for carrying" when handing out a warning for speeding (which might have been a ticket were it not for the permit, but who knows?).
 
Two stories in the news demonstrate a lot. 

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